Why I decided to transform
I was 5'2", 210 pounds, and slightly obese. My doctors were concerned about my health, but I wasn't. My friends and family used my weight to pick on me. At the time, I couldn't do anything about it simply because I didn't have the confidence to face it head-on. When I turned 14, I started wrestling in high school, spurred on by my love of watching UFC and MMA Fan. Why not give it a try, I thought.
I instantly fell in love with the sport and began to work harder at it. In my sophomore year, I began low carb dieting to lose weight. I went from weighing 205 pounds down to 160. I loved the way I was looking. I wasn't packing mass, but I was ripped. This new body was a great thing for me, but it wasn't long before a bad addiction started.
After the wrestling season when everyone is typically gaining weight, I became addicted to seeing the scale drop. I developed an eating disorder, which made me throw up everything I ate. Some days I didn't eat anything but half a Nature Valley granola bar and one-quarter of a water bottle. This went on for months.
I remember losing my vision sometimes and developing really bad headaches. I became nothing but a malnourished body; nothing but skin and bones. In my before picture, you can see my chest and my diaphragm through my skin. I remember my hands and breath would reek of vomit. One day, while in my mother's kitchen, I fainted. I nearly crushed my skull on the floor. Thankfully, my stepfather was there to catch me.
I didn't have to go to a hospital for bulimics and anorexics. I was able to begin nursing myself back to "normal." At this point, my self-esteem was destroyed, my pride diminished, and my heart totaled. But for some reason, I felt like I could still fight to improve my mind, my soul, and my body. From that day on, everything changed.
How I accomplished my goals
Seeing gains in the mirror kept me going. From one addiction to another: I became straight-up addicted to success! After lifting and working my ass off for a whole year, I gained 30 pounds and didn't look too bad. I loved the lifting lifestyle, and it became my passion along with wrestling. Before school was out, I was already making steady gains, but summer time meant I could focus completely on massive gains.
I gained another 20 pounds in a matter of two months. It helped that I hit a major growth spurt. I may not have been able to see my abs, but I still ground it out every single day. Over four years, I went from 210 pounds of fat to now 210 pounds of muscle. After putting in hours of hard work in the gym every day since my sophomore summer, I felt I'd really started filling out into my now 17-year-old frame—swole as some people say.
Every day, I delve deeper and deeper into the lifting lifestyle and gained knowledge every day. I saw gains every time I walked into the gym, but the best part is that I'm still growing. In preparing for my final year of high school wrestling, I knew it was going to be a great season. I came in at number one in the state, with numerous other awards. All of my hard work paid off in spades.
Basically, just not giving up is what pushed me every day. I kept a big picture of me during my bulimic years in my room, using it to motivate me. I never wanted to ever go back to that. So I never quit.
What was the most challenging part of the transformation
The biggest challenge for me was changing my diet. I was in love with cookies, cakes, and ice cream. Junk food was my life, so substituting those for healthy choices was hard. To this day, I am always tempted to sneak in a couple Oreos.
Suggestions to aspiring Transformers
- Get in the gym and go your hardest.
- Don't be afraid to try new things.
- Don't listen to haters.
- Don't ever be afraid to fail.
- Sacrifice, sacrifice, sacrifice. It will pay off , I promise!
- Patience is key…the gains will come!
How Bodybuilding.com help my goals
Bodybuilding.com really was my first look at seeing these kids my age transforming their bodies. I thought it was impossible to hit the gym like some of these older guys, but thanks to these transformation stories, they showed me it was possible. If it weren't for you guys, I don't think I would be where I am now. Truly, thank you.
My future fitness plans
Major in Kinesiology and Nutrition and study sports medicine. I would also like to get my personal training certificate, open my own gym, open and coach at my own wrestling club, and become a strength and conditioning coach for a professional sports team (NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB).
Jordan's Top 5 Gym Tracks
- Action Bronson "9.24.11"
- IceJJFish - "No Topping You"
- Lil B "The Based God" - "Pretty Boy"
- Waka Flocka Flame and Gucci Mane - "Young"
- A$AP Ferg - "Dump Dump"